Ok so I've got no publishing experience and only limited paid writing experience so this might be seen as a brainless newbie post but I'll take that chance.
I have 5 products written (just need to sort out the formatting and art) and was curious how people determine if an idea has already been used.
Specifically 2 of the products are magic related (spells and items) and it occurred to me that given I don't own every single product relating to new spells or new magic items (shame on me I know) that someone might have already published a product with similar if not identical content.
Ignoring the OGC side of it for a moment I'd like to understand how others work this one out. Or is it just a case of publish it anyway and hope for the best?
Typically, a quick browse of RPGNow or DTRPG should be sufficient. Or, you could make a post in ENWorld's general forum in search of recommendations of products along certain themes.
It is, of course, easier to answer this question with a better idea of exactly what you have written.
While I seriously doubt you have "Identical" content (Even with the glut of Magic Items, spells and such, putting out something exactly like someone else's product is tough to accomplish), you may very well find that you have similar products with other publishers.
The only REAL way to know for sure is to get your hands dirty, so to speak, and research your intended product category. Buy pdfs (not every single PDF on the market, though I suspect your fellow publishers would love you if you did ) that fit the category you are needing more information on, and find out.
Typically, a quick browse of RPGNow or DTRPG should be sufficient. Or, you could make a post in ENWorld's general forum in search of recommendations of products along certain themes.
It is, of course, easier to answer this question with a better idea of exactly what you have written.
Hi Roudi, I did a quick search of both to check out other similar products and nothing really gave me a reason of concern, but I thought it was worth asking the question.
The products in question are -
a series of enemy NPCs with a sliding scale CR and appropriate Campaign/Scenario hooks.
a series of friendly NPCs in a similar vein to the above.
a range of magical items with Campaign/Scenarios hooks with each PDF focussing on a separate collection.
a range of magical weapons in a similar vein to the above.
a series of spells focussing on one school/domain at a time, specifically looking at cross Arcane/Divine spells.
Each of the products are linked but not so much that they need each other.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Urizen
Hiya, David.
While I seriously doubt you have "Identical" content (Even with the glut of Magic Items, spells and such, putting out something exactly like someone else's product is tough to accomplish), you may very well find that you have similar products with other publishers.
The only REAL way to know for sure is to get your hands dirty, so to speak, and research your intended product category. Buy pdfs (not every single PDF on the market, though I suspect your fellow publishers would love you if you did ) that fit the category you are needing more information on, and find out.
Good luck.
Hi Urizen, I have picked up a few titles along similar lines in part to check out the 'competition' and also to compare content, nothing strikes me as being too close for comfort but like I said felt it was worth asking nonetheless.
Thanks for your input folks.
Cheers,
David
Last edited by escapistthx; 14th November 2006 at 04:52 PM..
Based on your descriptions, I can see that similar products have been done, but it does not seem possible for you to have "duplicated" existing products in those areas.
It's unlikely you'll do anything identical to what someone else has done. Similar, yes -- but no matter how many monster books there are, people still love new monsters. Including me.
If you can't find a popular treatment easily (by looking around here or finding Silver+ listers that cover the material), it's likely that nobody's provided a product capable of taking the lead yet. You just have to work that much harder to rise above previous attempts.
__________________ Mob United Media!
-- Indie, OGL and general gaming coolness. http://www.mobunited.com
* Idealism * Enlightenment * Adventure * Uncompromising modern fantasy -- relaunched! Get the PDF for FREE at RPGNow - and when you get it, enjoy $11 off the print edition! Offer extends until the end of Gen Con, so hurry!
The products in question are -
a series of enemy NPCs with a sliding scale CR and appropriate Campaign/Scenario hooks.
a series of friendly NPCs in a similar vein to the above.
a range of magical items with Campaign/Scenarios hooks with each PDF focussing on a separate collection.
a range of magical weapons in a similar vein to the above.
a series of spells focussing on one school/domain at a time, specifically looking at cross Arcane/Divine spells.
A lot of those sound *similar* to existing products, but as others have pointed out, it comes down to style, price, usability, range and originality.
Since you say you already have the writing done, you don't lose much by jumping into the pool of PDF publishing.
__________________ New from The Lazy GM: Savage Creatures. 40 monsters, hundreds of stat blocks. The Lazy GM Series. Pre-generated monster stats for the discerning adventurer. The World of Conclave. Innovative (and free) webworld for d20.
Instead of recreating the wheel, perhaps you might want to consider researching publishers who HAVE already created similar products and seeing if they are interested in what you are doing? It's often easier to piggy-back on something that already has a history than to start from scratch.
For example, we have a series of products called Nemesis, with each installment a collection of themed bad guys. Now you could A. create your own Evil NPC product, handle all of the production costs and art, and try to sell it. or B. pitch me with your idea and see if it fits the series, and let me worry about production costs, art, and trying to sell it.
Ultimately, it depends on it you want to spend more time writing or more time running a business. There are a lot of publishers who already have established product lines similar to your ideas, and you may benefit from their established audiences instead of trying to figure it out on your own.
Particularly if, by your own admission, you have limited experience in publishing. You can learn a bit more about the industry on someone else's dime than stumbling blindly on your own.
__________________ Bards and Sages Home of the Karma Roleplaying System
) that fit the category you are needing more information on, and find out.
Linear Mode
And yet another word from our sponsors
